The Hiawatha

Back when we were in Coeur d'Alene, we rode the Hiawatha Trail on our bikes.  It's an old train route up near the Idaho/Montana border.  It's about 15 miles.  It's all down hill.  You can ride down and take a shuttle back to the top, or you can ride down and ride back up.  We chose to ride down and take the shuttle back to the top.  It was a hot day, and we were tired when we were done! 

It's a beautiful trail, running through the forest.  It goes through tunnels and over trestles.   In fact, one tunnel is so long (about 1 3/4 miles) that you need a head light to ride through it.  You can't see the end from the beginning. 

The area has a lot of history.  We learned of small mining towns that were started around it during the early 1900's.  And we learned of fires and people having to hide out in the tunnels to survive. 

It's a fun bike ride, and I recommend it if you are in the CDA area.

Daniel, up at the top

Family Pic on the trail

Sam, after the tunnel

Family Pic, on a trestle

Simon, taking up the rear

Heading down the trail

Jeff and Sam on the shuttle

Swim Lessons 2014

For two weeks this summer, for one half hour, five days a week, the boys took swim lessons.  They go to the East Portland Parks and Rec.  We've been going there ever since we moved here four years ago.  Although we live on the west side of town, we go over to the east side for the lessons.  It's familiar to the boys.  In fact, Simon's teacher this year had previously taught Daniel and Sam in prior years.  Also, it's close to Grandma's house, and she can join us each day and help me keep the boys on task.

The boys enjoy the lessons.  This year Daniel did really well learning the crawl stroke, back stroke and side breathing.  He is a confident swimmer now.  It's neat to see him progress and get the skill down.  Sam learned the back float and the front glide.  Unfortunately, this year we learned (too late) that he had gotten placed in a lower class than I thought I had signed him up for.  So he repeated what he learned last year.  We kept wondering why the teacher wasn't teaching him more skills.  But he said he was okay with it, and next year we will get him in the right class.  Simon did really well learning to get his face wet, blowing bubbles and floating on his back.  They all did really well, and it's nice to see them enjoy swimming!

Simon, with his class

Simon, getting his face wet and blowing bubbles

Simon, doing the back float

Simon, some ball fun

Sam, learning the front glide

Sam, doing the back float

Sam, enjoying his lesson

Sam, getting ready to go on the Shark Slide

Daniel, doing the crawl stroke

Daniel, learning the back stroke

Daniel, going down the water slide

Daniel, having fun

Yellowstone Day 3

Our third day in Yellowstone, we got up, got going, and decided we were going to drive to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, or to one of the stops/hikes along the Yellowstone River.  We did a short but steep hike down to the river.  It was very pretty and worth the hike.  From there, we stopped for lunch before driving along Lake Yellowstone.  Daniel also wanted to stop and look at the Ranger Station Museum, so we stopped there too.  From the lake, we drove up and stopped at a hike that had more paint pots to see.  Sam especially liked those.  Then we decided to head back.  It was a full three days and we were a little tired by the third day.

Yellowstone River

Us

A Tribute to my Roots

A Paint Pot

Family Pic

The Boys

Yellowstone 2014, Days 1 & 2

While in CDA, we decided we would journey over to Yellowstone for a few days.  It's only about a 6-7 hour drive from my parents, so it really seemed like a good time to go, since we were already over there.  My parents decided to come along with us.  We rented a house in West Yellowstone and went into the park each day.  We were there for 3 full days, and they were very full indeed.

Day 1:  We had the best of intentions to go into the park, stop at a couple of quick hiking spots, stop at Old Faithful and then have lunch at Yellowstone Lake.  But we didn't quite make it.  We weren't far into the park at all, when traffic slowed.  We soon realized that we were following a herd of buffalo, and they were using the road to walk along.  It took us almost 3 hours to get past them.  By this time, we were hungry, so we stopped at some picnic tables and changed our plans of eating by the lake.  We made it to Old Faithful, but then we headed back to our house after that. 

Following the Herd

Our Road is Their Road

Up Close and Personal

Lunch Stop

Waiting Faithfully for Old Faithful

Day 2:  We decided to head north and visit Mammoth Hot Springs.  And along the way we stopped and saw a bear on the side of the road.  We also stopped at some paint pots along the way.  Those were cool.  But the Hot Springs were really neat to see.  We hiked down the side of the hill and got quite a view!  At the bottom we saw some elk.  From there we stopped and did a short hike to some falls.  Then we drove to Roosevelt Towers for dinner.  That evening we drove through an area that is great for seeing animals.  We saw some Pronghorn Antelope and lots more buffalo.  On the drive back home through the mountains, we saw a grizzly bear and two cubs.  That was really neat. 

Grandpa and the boys at the Paint Pots

Family Photo at Mammoth Hot Springs

Daniel and the Elk

Simon and I on the hike

Cabo, Mexico

The View Poolside

While we were in CDA visiting my parents, Jeff and I left the boys with my parents and took a 5 day (3 full days, 2 travel days) vacation to Cabo.  I've wanted to do a beach vacation for years, and Jeff, knowing it was on my wish list, planned it out and we went. 

It was a lot of fun and very relaxing.  The first day we stayed by the pool all day, reading and soaking up the sun.  On the second day we went into town and looked around a bit.  On the third day, we also stayed by the pool.  Our trip was all inclusive, so the meals and drinks had already been paid.  And we visited some of the other restaurants that were part of the package.  I had fun trying out some of my long lost spanish with some of the locals. 

It was a fun trip, but I was also glad to get back to the boys.  I missed them a lot.

Relaxing Before Dinner

Dinner at El Blanco

The View from our Room

Silverwood

We just got back from a 3 week stay in Coeur d'Alene visiting my parents.  It was wonderful to see them, and one of the fun things we did while we were there was go to Silverwood Theme Park.  It has rides and even an outdoor water park.  We just rode the rides and walked around the park area.  Last year when we went, Daniel got sick and missed it.  So he wanted to be sure and go this year.  My parents went too, and we had a lot of fun.  In the morning when we first got there, we let the boys ride the younger kids' rides.  They had a lot of fun with that.  Interestingly, (and I didn't expect this) Daniel was too tall for some of the little kid rides.  So I told him that he could go on some of the bigger kid rides.  He liked that idea.  He went on some of his first rides ever, 2 roller coasters, among other things.  We also went on the train ride that runs around the park.  They stage a pretend train robbery, and Sam was a little concerned about that.  We had so much fun, we stayed until closing.  I recommend going if you're ever in the CDA area.

High Flyers (Simon & Sam)

Grandma joins the fun

A Driving Lesson for Big D

Sam Bumps Along

Daniel Rides the Train

Simon Goes Around

On the Ferris Wheel

Resolution Mid-Year Update

It's time for me to check in and see how I'm doing with my resolutions for 2014.  I'm coming up on the 1/2 year mark.  Here's a recap:

1.  I want to run 1,000 miles this year.  I was about 50 short last year.  I think if I add a mile a week that should be close to hitting the 1,000 mile mark.  I want to keep doing races, but the races won't be part of my resolution.
UPDATE: I feel like I'm on track to reach 1,000 miles this year.  Right now I'm at around 530 miles, so I'm a little over half way.  And since my training for the marathon is going to intensify, I think I will be able to reach this goal.

2.  I want to read at least 10 books this year.  I get stuck reading magazines or the newspaper, and I don't read that many books.  I want to change that and do more book reading this year.
UPDATE: I'm still struggling with this one a little bit.  Although, I'm currently reading 2 books right now, and I've read a couple so far.  I have plans to read a couple more when I'm done with my current books.  So I haven't given up on this one yet, but it is going to take a little more work.

3.  Continue giving away at least one bag of things a month.  I fell behind last year, and since we will be moving in a year (or two), I'd like to get rid of more stuff!
UPDATE:  I have still been averaging about 2 bags or more a month.  So I feel really good about this one, but I'm happy to keep giving away even more!

4.  Continue spending time with Jeff on a regular basis.  Last year it was trying to get away at least every other month without the kids.  I'd like to continue that.
UPDATE:  Our time away has been sporadic, but we did get away together for a weekend in May, and this July we are going to Cabo for 5 days, so that feels like a real treat.  Hopefully we can keep up this tradition of getting away.

5.  More blogs!  I want to keep writing.
UPDATE:  I think I am keeping up with my blogging so far.  My goal is at least once a week, or more if I have time.  I am staying with this so far.

6.  Go off Facebook.  I will be deleting my account on January 1.
UPDATE: I haven't missed facebook much.  A couple of times I've wondered what people are up to.  But I try to keep in touch with people through other means, like emails, texts, visits or phone calls.  I still haven't decided if I will start up my account again after the first of the year.

So that's it, my 1/2 year update!